Suicidal risk and childhood adversity: a study of Indian college students

The study was undertaken in response to reported increase in deaths due to suicide and suicidal behaviors in the youth.

The objectives of the study were to assess childhood adversity and suicidal risk and to study the relationship between adverse childhood experiences and suicidal risk, in Indian students.

A cross sectional study design was conducted with 436 undergraduate students in the age range of 18-25. Suicidal risk was assessed using Scale for Suicidal Ideation and Beck's Hopelessness Scale. Parental Bonding Instrument and Early Trauma Inventory-Self Report (Short Form) were used to assess adverse childhood experiences.

Suicidal risk in terms of suicidal ideation and hopelessness was reported by 15% and 9%, respectively. Physical abuse is the most common form of early trauma, experienced in both males and females. Males experienced significantly more traumatic experiences in all domains. Affectionless control, which is considered as the pathogenic form of parent child bonding, is widely reported. A moderate degree of association exists between suicidal risk and early exposure to trauma. Higher suicidal ideation, hopelessness and trauma are reported in respondents with affectionless parental control and neglectful parenting.

The study provides evidence of correlation between suicidal risk and childhood adversity in the Indian setting.